Kansas City Chiefs Laddie Morse

Upside, Downside, of Chiefs Loss

LadnerMorse November 20, 2017 No Comments

 

 

 

I know, I know, you’re thinking, “What could possibly be an upside to the Kansas City Chiefs loss to the New York Giants 12-to-9?” One upside is… we’re one step closer to seeing what kind of quarterback Patrick Mahomes II will be. Let the “PLAY MAHOMES” war-cry commence. Beyond that, I understand that some of you may think that this is an attempt for me to polish a turd. However, I’m merely suggesting that there are some aspects… players… who did not play poorly in this game.

 

 

 

Yes, QB Alex Smith was not good on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. His two INTs (the first one on an inside pitch, seen above) doubled the number of INTs he had for the year thus far. That doesn’t count the INT that Travis Kelce threw either which came on a trick play called by Andy Reid that had Kelce throwing the ball 40 yards downfield and was way off the mark. Smith, had a passer rating of 61.5 for this game compared to his season average of 113 prior to this game. Again, its hard ot argue with fans who are calling for Mahomes to step in:

 

 

 

But I’m getting ahead of myself because this was a total team loss. Everyone got in on the act. Then again, the Chiefs problems appear to go further than this single loss on the field. Andy Reid seems to have lost this team:

 

 

If you look at the stats of 230 passing yards for Alex Smith and 134 rushing yards for all the Chiefs RBs and 109 yards receiving for Travis Kelce and 68 yards for Tyreek Hill. and K.C. won the time of possession battle 37:16 to 30:50.. then you’d likely think the Chief won this game. However, head coach Andy Reid is public enemy #1 when it comes to holding this offense back. You remember the quote about Michael Jordan right? “Question: Who’s the only person to hold Michael Jordan under 20 points a game? Answer: Dean Smith.” If Reid doesn’t change his approach to the players he has, he’ll forever limit their potential.

 

 

 

 

The Chiefs never put together a drive that ended in the TD. That’s right: the Chiefs scored no TDs. Zero-for-3 in the Red Zone will do it every time. Even so… the fact that the Chiefs only got to the Red Zone 3 times is another huge negative stat. The New York Giants were 31st in total defense prior to this game but, the Chiefs couldn’t get in the end zone. How do you keep Kareem Hunt, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce from scoring? It sure doesn’t look like the Giants had the ability to stop them. It seems like a good time to let someone else call plays instead of Andy Reid. Wait, instead of promoting Mahomes… maybe they should promote Dave Toub.

 

With the Giants primary WRs out for this game, the success that their scrubs did have, proves, without a shadow of a doubt, that the Chiefs have one of the worst defensive backfields in the league. Observations about the DBs:

 

  • Eric Murray should go visit D.J. White… and stay there.
  • Phillip Gaines gets his head turned around the wrong way on down field plays every time and just doesn’t have the ability to shadow WRs the way Bob Sutton intends his corners to shadow. I guess… “Your loss is my Gaines”… wait, that should read, my loss is my Gaines. 
  • Is there any doubt now that Marcus Peters is fool’s gold? He only knows how to punch the ball out and mirroring and shadowing his man is not as easy for him as people would like us to think.

 

Here’s another positive: Steven Nelson is the Chiefs best DB and they’re fortunate to have him. Also, ILB Reggie Ragland led he team in tackles wth 11 and looks like he’s going to be an outstanding LB at some point.

 

 

 

 

Based on this game. the Chiefs didn’t come close to looking like the team that dominated large parts of games when they started the season 5-and-0. The downward trend in going 1-and-4 in their past 5 games is that they have lost the look of a team that has any chance to win once they get to the playoffs… if they get to the playoffs. While the Oakland Raiders lost to New England big in Mexico, 33-8, and remain 2 games in back of the Chiefs at 4-6 for the AFC West crown… the Los Angeles Chargers are also 4-6 but are surging by beating Buffalo 54-24 and winning 4 out of their last 6 games.

 

 

 

 

Fortunately for the Chiefs, they will play Buffalo next weekend… although that’s what everyone was saying about the Giants for the past two weeks. The Chargers intercepted the Bills rookie QB 5 times and if the Chiefs can repeat that feat, they may come away with a win… assuming that the Bills leave Nathan Peterman in as their starting QB.

 

 

 

In any case, that doesn’t change the way the Chiefs played and looked on Sunday in New York. Which for the most part was abysmal. In the end, the NY Giants kicker Aldrick Rojas kicked a field goal in overtime to secure the Giants second victory of the year.

 

The “That’s my responsibility,” melody that coach Andy Reid keeps singing is way out of tune. If we are to take him at his word… then he should be replaced. It’s disingenuous and lacks any real accountability.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m also not a fan of hearing Andy Reid state, “We didn’t play well enough.” OMG, NO SHICK SHERLOCK! If there was ever a time when he should be calling his own players out… now would seem like a good time. Even if he doesn’t do that specifically, he could at least say, “Our OL blocked like crap and you can expect some changes there.” But would Reid consider saying something like that? Jahell No! Let me know what you thought of Sunday’s performance. Remember, cussing is not encouraged… even though I understand your desire to go there.

 

 

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